Children's Promise

Public Libraries welcome children from the very earliest months of life, helping parents and carers to support them as they grow and learn. Working with schools and other partners, libraries provide a range of activities, programmes and initiatives which introduce, extend and refresh the library experience for children. The Children Promise, developed with The Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL), underpins the six Universal Offers and ensures that children are actively involved in decisions about the services that affect them as well as being offered opportunities to volunteer.

Goal: Every child and young person in libraries is inspired to read for pleasure, has access to a diverse range of materials, can engage in a variety of digital activities and can take part in activities that improve their well-being.

Aims

  • Every child and young person in a public library is inspired by an exciting accessible environment which makes reading for pleasure irresistible

  • Children have the opportunity to engage with imaginative digital opportunities and cultural experiences in public libraries, building their skills, knowledge and creativity

  • Children will find a range of inclusive and diverse books and other information resources to support their literacy, learning, health and well-being.


ASCEL

The Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians are a national network of senior managers in children’s public and schools’ library services.

 


Children's Promise: In detail

More detailed information about the Children’s Promise and a self assessment tool for libraries to measure their service to children can be found on the ASCEL website.

 


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Children's Library Journeys report

Libraries provide a range of activities, programmes and initiatives which introduce, extend and refresh the library experience for children. ASCEL have drawn these together into a single ‘library journey’ that every child can enjoy, all focused on the best outcomes for the child.